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New Lothrop Board approves $1.06 million in bills, personnel moves and FFA barn bid; tentative bus agreement adopted
Summary
The New Lothrop Board of Education voted to pay $1,063,318.44 in bills, accepted the monthly financial report, approved multiple personnel actions including a 2.5% administrative pay increase, authorized a $136,400 FFA barn construction bid funded by grants and alumni donations, and approved a tentative Transportation Group agreement for 2024–26.
The New Lothrop Board of Education on Sept. 16 approved payment of $1,063,318.44 in bills and accepted the district’s monthly financial report while voting on a slate of personnel, curricular and facilities items.
Finance chair Jim Eustace presented the financial summary showing a beginning balance of $2,673,793.40, receipts of $863,305.94 and expenditures of $1,063,318.44, leaving an ending balance of $2,473,780.90. A motion to pay the bills carried 7-0.
The board approved routine personnel items, including the resignations of Nate Browning (junior high wrestling coach, effective Aug. 15, 2024) and Heather Eickholt (elementary playground and office aide, effective Sept. 6, 2024), and accepted the retirement of Ronda Birchmeier (food service worker, effective Sept. 30, 2024). It also approved the hire of Samantha Boggs as junior high softball coach (contingent on a successful background check). All of those motions carried 7-0.
The board adopted the High School course catalog and the Edgenuity course list for 2024–25 and approved the Online, Dual Enrollment and Independent Study roster for the first semester; each carried 7-0.
On compensation, the board approved a 2.50% salary increase for salaried administrative and central-office employees, retroactive to July 1, 2024. The motion passed with one abstention by Adam Green (recorded yes 6, no 0, abstain 1).
The board approved a bid from Gross Construction Inc. for an FFA barn in the amount of $130,400 plus Option 2 for $6,000, for a grant total of $136,400; the motion noted funding would come from an Ag Education FFA grant and FFA alumni donations and carried 7-0. The board likewise approved two FFA overnight trips—Fall Leadership Conference in Lansing (Oct. 9–10, 2024) and the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis (Oct. 22–24, 2024)—each 7-0.
After a closed session for negotiations, the board approved a tentative agreement with the Transportation Group covering the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years as presented; motion carried 7-0.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the minutes): motion to approve minutes (7-0); approve payment of bills (7-0); accept monthly financial report (7-0); accept resignations and retirement (7-0); hire Samantha Boggs as JH softball coach (7-0); approve online/dual/independent roster (7-0); approve Edgenuity list (7-0); approve HS course catalog (7-0); approve 2.50% admin salary increase (yes 6, no 0, abstain 1); adopt MASB superintendent evaluation process with i-Ready at 20% (7-0); approve FFA barn bid $136,400 (7-0); approve FFA trips (7-0); approve tentative Transportation Group agreement (7-0); motion to adjourn (7-0).
The board recorded motions and seconders in the public minutes but did not include extended debate on most items; where discussion occurred (for example, the FFA barn funding source was identified as grant and alumni donations) it was noted during the action item. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Oct. 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library.
